Hi I have a 89 ford ranger with a 5 sp transmission. The motor is not any good in it. My husband has come across a 98 ford explorer 4.0 6 cylinder motor that he wants to put in place of the original 2.3ranger motor. My question is will this motor go in without having to do a lot of fabrications or adjustments? Will the 5 sp transmission that came out of the 89 ranger bolt up to the 98 6 cylinder 4.0 motor ? We have been told that this motor will bolt up with no problems, however, I have my reservations due to fact that everything that I have gone through so far to get this truck running has been more than a bit of a disaster. I would like to if the 10 year difference between the motor and the transmission will matter or does it really matter that the explorer motor came from a vehicle with a automatic trans instead of manual. I have developed a great bit of skepticism at being told that things are simple straight forward issues when it comes to this truck. I would like to know I am not fixing to throw more money into something that will not work n,ear as well as I am being assured. I would also like to know if there are any type of adapter kits that will have to be purchased or if this motor will truly go into the truck with no additional problems. I figured this would be the best place to go and find answers to my questions. Any insight and help would be appreciated.

Thanks I appreciate the info hubby and friends have already pulled the brain from the other vehicle that the motor is coming out of along with, I am being told all the wiring as well to transfer with the 98 motor. I was kinda hoping against hope to be able to use the original tranny, but figured it was a long shot. So how I will start trying to locate a transmission for this as well. Appreciate it.